PEARL KEEPS AN EYE ON WEATHER

Florida Pearl has received the green light to take on Native Upmanship and Dorans Pride at Punchestown on Sunday, but the possibility of a Durkan Chase clash between the trio may yet be foiled by the weather.

Punchestown is currently raceable but track spokesman Richie Galway said yesterday: 'If the forecast is correct we will race - but we don`t have much of a margin for error.'

The Co Kildare course has had an inch and a half of rain since the weekend and Galway added: 'We`ve just had torrential rain and we`re expecting a further half an inch on Thursday night.

'At the moment we can race but there will be a track inspection in the morning (this morning) and depending on what happens after that we may have to have a look at the track again on Sunday morning. If we get more rain than is forecast we will certainly have to look at things.'

That would be a disappointment for Willie Mullins, who schooled Florida Pearl yesterday and reported afterwards: 'He`s a runner and Ruby (Walsh) rides. He worked well enough this morning and we`re quite keen to have a go. On the ratings he must have a very good chance. I hope so anyway!'

Cashmans bookmakers responded to that news by releasing an early book on the Durkan Chase; they make Florida Pearl their evens favourite. Native Upmanship is on 6 to 5 with Dorans Pride on 8 to 1 and Promalee a 20 to 1 outsider.

Although the steeplechases at tomorrow`s Clonmel card are already abandoned there are no problems envisaged with the rest of the all-hurdles fixture going ahead. A spokesperson said: 'The hurdles course is perfect for racing at the moment and there is no rain forecast.'

There is a similarly upbeat message from Navan about the Saturday card, with the course manager Richard Lyttle reporting: 'Although some rain is expected we`re not overly concerned at the moment. Indeed after two dryish days, we`re very hopeful.'

One horse who is unlikely to run at Navan however is the Mullins-trained star novice Be My Royal, who holds an entry in the Barry and Sandra Kelly Novice Hurdle.

Mullins reported: 'He is more likely to go for the rescheduled three-mile hurdle at Thurles the following week.'